After reviewing 17,801 citations, we included 47 trials with 3,320 participants. Mindfulness meditation programs had moderate evidence to improve anxiety at 8 weeks; depression at 8 weeks and 3–6 months and pain, and low evidence to improve stress/distress and mental health-related quality of life.

A large (15-author!) review of the literature on meditation effects shows where meditation is effective and what kinds of evidence the Western academy likes to see.

Stronger study designs are needed to determine the effects of meditation programs in improving the positive dimensions of mental health and stress-related behavior.